Cutting torch tip guide

ABSTRACT

For detachable and adjustable use on and in conjunction with a commonly used tapered nozzle type torch tip, a tip supporting, lifting, lowering, and angling flame focusing self-contained guide attachment. This attachment comprises three principal component parts; namely, an adjustable collar-like tip encircling adapter, a complemental leg having a freely turnable work surface contacting wheel or disk mounted on its lower end; and a link having an inner end pivoted to said adapter and an outer end pivotally and operatively linked to an oriented upper end of said leg.

United States Patent Straub 154] CUTTING TORCH TIP GUIDE [72] Inventor:Richard K. Straub, Beaver Falls, Pa.

[73] Assignee: Farbenfabriken Bayer Aktiengesellschat't, Leverkusen,Germany [22] Filed: Dec. 31, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 103,138

[52] US. Cl. ..266/23 M [51] Int. Cl. ..B23k 7/10 [58] Field of Search..266/23 M, 23 K, 23 D, 23 E, 266/23 N [56] References Cited UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 3,174,736 3/1965 Cameron ..266/23 M 2,442,505 6/1948Millett ..266/23 K 3,013,787 12/1961 Joslin ..266/23 K 54 Torch TIP 9;

[ 51 Oct. 17,1972

3,170,015 2/1965 Ziebart ..266/23 M Primary Examiner-Frank T. YostAttorney-Clarence A. OBrien and Harvey B. Jacobson ABSTRACT Fordetachable and adjustable use on and in conjunction with a commonly usedtapered nozzle type torch tip, a tip supporting, lifting, lowering, andangling flame focusing self-contained guide attachment. This attachmentcomprises three principal component parts; namely, an adjustablecollar-like tip encircling adapter, a complemental leg having a freelyturnable work surface contacting wheel or disk mounted on" its lowerend; and a link having an inner end pivoted to said adapter and an outerend pivotally and operatively linked to an oriented upper end of saidleg.

7 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PAIENTEDIJBT H m 3.698.701

a P i INVENTOR.

Richard K. $7raub CUTTING TORCH TIP GUIDE This invention relates tocertain new and useful improvements in nozzle type cutting torch tipattachments such as are commonly designated in the prior art aswheel-supported carriers, rollable flame focusing carriages, torch tipguides and the like and has to do with an adaptation which is such inconstruction and capability that it well serves the special purposes forwhich it has been devised.

A welder, as is generally well known, is often confronted with a tediousand perplexing task in cutting a metal sheet or an equivalent workpiecein a satisfactorily straight line. His task is more difficult if the cuthas to be made around the circumference of a length of pipe. If the cutsmust be bevelled so that the two pieces of metal can be properly joinedby way of the coacting bevelled edges, it is even more tedious anddifficult to cope with the task. It follows that the present inventionis such in construction and adaptability that it facilitates carryingout the necessary work steps. To the ends desired, an attachmentcharacterized by a unique torch tip guide has been satisfactorilydevised and effectively used. Because of the carefully selectedconstruction and coordination of the component parts the attachment,when properly installed, positions and maintains the tip of the torch ata predetermined as well as a set distance above the level of the cuttingsurface thus making it possible to raise and lower the flame emittingend of the tip and, in addition, to angle or tilt the axis of theover-all torch tip to assume a predetermined inclination or bevel sothat all cuts which are made by the flame will be conformable topredetermined inclination or bevel.

It is not new in this field of endeavor to provide a collar-like adapterand to attach the same to a torch tip and to equip the adapter withfacilities such as depending posts and wherein the posts have lower endsprovided with sharp-edged work contacting wheels or disks. Oneattachment with such facilities embodied therein is that shown in a U.S.Pat. to Donald 1... Richards, No. 3,514,087. A second but somewhat morecomplicated adjustable cutting carriage is shown in a U8. Pat. issued toTheodor Ziebart, No. 3,170,015. Although other reference patents areperhaps significant, it is believed that the aforementioned patents willsuffice to provide the reader with limited background information.

Briefly, the torch tip guide attachment herein comprehended ischaracterized, generally stated, by a tip supporting, positioning andflame focusing guide which, in turn, is constructed to provide anadapter which is capable of being adjustably but operatively mounted onthe torch tip. A depending rigid leg is utilized and is adapted to bemoved alongside of and in conjunction with the torch tip and has upperand lower ends. A work surface contacting wheel or disk is mounted forfree rotation on the lower end of the leg. A simple forked link isinterposed between the leg and the adapter. The link has an outer endpivotally operatively joined to the upper end of the leg and an innerend pivotally operatively joined to a coacting surface portion of saidadapter.

In carrying out a preferred embodiment of the invention the adapter isconstructed to embody a collar-like band which has separatelyconnectable band mounting and adjusting ends. A peripheral surfaceportion of the band is provided with a rigid radially projecting lug andthe inner end of the link has a terminal fork, the arms of said forkstraddling and being pivotally joined to said lug.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of a fragmentary portion of a workpieceor sheet, showing the torch tip and showing, what is more significant,the self-contained and readily applicable and removable tip supporting,positioning and flame focusing guide attachment and how it isconstructed and used;

FIG. 2 is a view in end elevation which may be said to be a view of FIG.1 looking in a direction from right to left and which shows how the linkand leg are angled to raise the torch tip to the desired elevation;

FIG. 3 is a view based on and similar to FIG. 2 but showing how thetorch tip is adjustably angled for cutting a bevelled edge;

FIG. 4 is a section taken approximately on the plane of the horizontalsection line 4 4 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is a view in perspective showing the specific construction of theaforementioned collar-like adapter.

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, it will be noted that the surface of theworkpiece A is denoted at B and that the tapering torch tip is denotedat C. The flame is denoted at D and the cut which is being made isdenoted at E. The guideline which is being cut or followed is denoted atF.

The attachment is made up of three component parts; namely, thecollar-like adapted 6, the wheel supported leg by the numeral 8 and theassembling and connecting link at 10.

The adapter comprises an appropriate split band, that is, a band havingseparable terminal ends 12 and 14, the end portion 12 being providedwith transverse longitudinally spaced slots 16. The median peripheralsurface 18 is provided with a radially projecting or outstanding lug 20to accommodate a pivot pin which has a hole 22 provided for thatpurpose. The open ended sleeve 24 provides a socket member which isprovided on one peripheral side with a block-like projection 26 having aguide slot 28 through which the overlapping ends 12 and 14 are passedfor adjustment in the manner illustrated perhaps best in FIG. 4. Thebore of the sleeve is constructed to accommodate specially groundthreads 30 on the shank of an adjusting screw 32. The threads of theshank project through slot means (not detailed) and which is cooperablewith coacting slot means in the end portion 14 and also with the slots16 in a manner that when the screw 32 is turned the threads serve toeither tighten or loosen the collar-like clamping action of the band,that is, the adapter band 6 The second component part of the three-partattachment comprises a rigid leg 34 whose lower end portion isbifurcated to provide furcations 36 provided with a suitably attachedpin providing an axle 38 for a surface contacting disk or wheel 40. Thiswheel as is customaryis provided with a sharp surface contactingmarginal edge 42. The wheel rolls along the marked guideline or in anyother manner along the surface B of the workpiece A. The upper endportion of the leg is also bifurcated to provide bifurcations orfurcations 44. These ear-like furcations serve to accommodate anattachable and detachable threaded fastener 46 which may be referred toas a clamping screw and which has a knurled thumb wheel or grip 48. Theportion of the pin between the furcations 44 provides an appropriatepivot pin for a coacting end portion 50 of the first component part,that is, the aforementioned link 10. The end portion 50 is the righthand end, as designated in FIG. 1. The opposite or left hand end of thelink is provided with a fork whose arms 52 straddle the aperturedear-like lug and are detachably and pivotally connected thereto by ascrew threaded fastener 54 having a knurled finger-turned adjusting head56. Thus these three component parts 6, 8 and 10 provide a highlysatisfactory attachment for the torch tip C.

It is submitted that the manner in which the collarlike adapter ispositioned on the tip is evident after having considered the adapter inFlG. 5 and then having studied its position in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. Also,the manner in which the three parts coordinate to provide the low leveltip position is evident in FIG. 1. The manner in which the several partsare adjusted sothat the link is directed outwardly and downwardly towardthe left as shown in FIG. 2 is believed to be evident, once theelevation of the tip is properly attained. The inclined position forbevelling purposes is shown in FIG. 3 and also the position andrelationship of the three component parts 6, 8 and 10 is evident. Theparticular manner in which the ends 12 and 14 are connected with theconnector and adjuster 26 is evident more particularly in FIG. 4.

It will be appreciated that the attachment is unique, anddistinguishable from prior art adaptations and that the construction andarrangement of component parts is such that the torch tip can be raisedand lowered in a simple and time-saving manner. In fact, theconstruction allows the use of a long tip torch or short tip torch. Mostany tapered type torch can be used. Should the user desire to make acut, for example, a curved cut, he can do so by drawing a chalk line ata prescribed distance from where the cut is to be made and permitting.the chalk line to be comparable with the curve or parabola that hedesires to follow. It will be noted too that the invention is relativelysmall in size, light in weight and is such in capability that it can besatisfactorily carried in a workmans pocket, whereby it will beavailable whenever necessary or desired.

It will be clear that with the construction and orientation of thecomponent parts shown, the surface contacting disk or wheel 40 can beinvariably located and kept in a plane at right angles to the plane ofthe surface which is being cut. This assurance reduces the negligiblelikelihood that said wheel might slip sideways and create a flaw in theline which is being cut.

The fact that the construction of the individual parts is clear from thedrawing and specification and the ad ditional fact that the viewsillustrate the mode of attachment and use would seem to makeself-evident the features and advantages of the invention. Accordingly,a more extended description is deemed to be unnecessary.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalentsmay be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. For detachable and adjustable use on and in conjunction with aconventional tapered nozzle type torch tip, a tip supporting,positioning and flame focusing guide comprising an adapter structurallydesigned and adapted to be adjustably but operatively mounted on saidtorch tip, a rigid leg which is adapted to be moved alongside of and inconjunction with said torch tip and having upper and lower ends, a worksurface contacting wheel mounted for free rotation on the lower end ofsaid leg, and a link interposed between said leg and adapter, said linkhaving an outer end pivotally operatively joined to the upper end ofsaid leg and an inner end pivotally operatively joined to a coactingsurface portion of said adapter, said adapter comprising a collar-likeband having separably connectible band mounting and adjusting ends, saidsurface portion having a rigid radially projecting lug, the inner end ofsaid link having a terminal fork, the armsof said fork straddling andbeing pivotally but retentively joined to said lug.

2. The flame focusing guide defined in and according to claim 1, andwherein the upper end of said leg is bifurcated, the outer end of saidlink terminating and being disposed between and pivotally and clampinglyjoined to the respectively encompassing bifurcations.

3. The flame focusing guide defined in and according to claim 1, andwherein the upper end of said leg is bifurcated, the outer end of saidlink terminating and being disposed between and pivotally and clampinglyjoined to the respectively encompassing bifurcations, the lower end ofsaid leg also being bifurcated and said bifurcations being provided witha complemental axle, and said wheel being journalled for free rotationon said axle and being confined for operation between said bifurcations.

4. A self-contained nozzle type torch tip supporting, adjusting,positioning and flame focusing guide for attachment to said tipcomprising: an adapter embodying a collar-like band which is adapted toencompass a selected portion of said tip, said band having overlappingadjustably connectible ends, one end portion having transverselongitudinally spaced adjusting slots, the other end portion havingband-end connecting and adjusting means, a median portion of said bandbeing provided with an outstanding ear-like lug, a rigid leg adapted tobe located and moved alongside of and in conjunction with said torch tipand having upper and lower ends, work surface contacting wheel mountedfor free rotation on the lower end of said leg, and a link interposedbetween said leg and adapter, said link having an outer end pivotallyoperatively joined to the upper end of said leg and an inner endpivotally operatively joined to a coacting surface portion of saidadapter.

5. The self-contained nozzle type torch tip supporting, adjusting andpositioning guide attachment according to claim 4 and wherein the threeconnectible ends of said band are provided with a complemental sleeve,

said sleeve providing a socket member and being internally screwthreaded, an adjusting member having a shank which is threaded into thethreads provided therefor in said sleeve and as provided with anadjusting head at an accessible end, the threads of said shank beingcooperable with the aforementioned adjusting slots for purposes ofconnecting and adjusting the effective diameter of said band.

6. The self-contained nozzle type torch tip guide attachment defined inand according to claim 5 and wherein the upper end of said leg isbifurcated, the outer end of said link terminating and being disposed

1. For detachable and adjustable use on and in conjunction with aconventional tapered nozzle type torch tip, a tip supporting,positioning and flame focusing guide comprising an adapter structurallydesigned and adapted to be adjustably but operatively mounted on saidtorch tip, a rigid leg which is adapted to Be moved alongside of and inconjunction with said torch tip and having upper and lower ends, a worksurface contacting wheel mounted for free rotation on the lower end ofsaid leg, and a link interposed between said leg and adapter, said linkhaving an outer end pivotally operatively joined to the upper end ofsaid leg and an inner end pivotally operatively joined to a coactingsurface portion of said adapter, said adapter comprising a collar-likeband having separably connectible band mounting and adjusting ends, saidsurface portion having a rigid radially projecting lug, the inner end ofsaid link having a terminal fork, the arms of said fork straddling andbeing pivotally but retentively joined to said lug.
 2. The flamefocusing guide defined in and according to claim 1, and wherein theupper end of said leg is bifurcated, the outer end of said linkterminating and being disposed between and pivotally and clampinglyjoined to the respectively encompassing bifurcations.
 3. The flamefocusing guide defined in and according to claim 1, and wherein theupper end of said leg is bifurcated, the outer end of said linkterminating and being disposed between and pivotally and clampinglyjoined to the respectively encompassing bifurcations, the lower end ofsaid leg also being bifurcated and said bifurcations being provided witha complemental axle, and said wheel being journalled for free rotationon said axle and being confined for operation between said bifurcations.4. A self-contained nozzle type torch tip supporting, adjusting,positioning and flame focusing guide for attachment to said tipcomprising: an adapter embodying a collar-like band which is adapted toencompass a selected portion of said tip, said band having overlappingadjustably connectible ends, one end portion having transverselongitudinally spaced adjusting slots, the other end portion havingband-end connecting and adjusting means, a median portion of said bandbeing provided with an outstanding ear-like lug, a rigid leg adapted tobe located and moved alongside of and in conjunction with said torch tipand having upper and lower ends, work surface contacting wheel mountedfor free rotation on the lower end of said leg, and a link interposedbetween said leg and adapter, said link having an outer end pivotallyoperatively joined to the upper end of said leg and an inner endpivotally operatively joined to a coacting surface portion of saidadapter.
 5. The self-contained nozzle type torch tip supporting,adjusting and positioning guide attachment according to claim 4 andwherein the three connectible ends of said band are provided with acomplemental sleeve, said sleeve providing a socket member and beinginternally screw threaded, an adjusting member having a shank which isthreaded into the threads provided therefor in said sleeve and asprovided with an adjusting head at an accessible end, the threads ofsaid shank being cooperable with the aforementioned adjusting slots forpurposes of connecting and adjusting the effective diameter of saidband.
 6. The self-contained nozzle type torch tip guide attachmentdefined in and according to claim 5 and wherein the upper end of saidleg is bifurcated, the outer end of said link terminating and beingdisposed between and pivotally and clampingly joined to the respectivelyencompassing bifurcations, the lower end of said leg being alsobifurcated, said bifurcations being provided with a complemental axle,and said wheel being journalled for free rotation on said axle andconfined for operation between the coacting bifurcations.
 7. Theself-contained nozzle type torch tip attachment defined in and accordingto claim 6 and wherein the inner end of said link has a terminal fork,the arms of said fork straddling and being pivotally joined to said lug.